Summer is just around the corner and with the temperatures heating up you and your partner can finally start looking at places the two of you can go out and explore together. From classic restaurants to the beach, there are many activities you can enjoy with your partner on a romantic getaway.

To help you consider your options, here are four romantic activities for couples you might enjoy on your next vacation together:

Horse carriage rides. In Charleston, SC, you can find plenty of romantic activities including horse carriage rides to take you around the town. Consider booking a private, evening ride for you and your partner to take in the sights and sounds of the city.

Explore local eats together. You can always go to for a romantic evening out at a restaurant. But it can be fun to explore new foods together and try something both of you have never tried before. Consider trying something new with each meal to make a day-long activity out of it and expand your palette.

Have a picnic under the Angel Oak. The Angel Oak Tree is a majestic tree on John’s Island just 12 miles away from downtown Charleston. It’s said to be approximately 400 years old and its long, lovely branches stretch out more than 17,200 square feet. Angel Oak is a big hit for couples, making it a wonderfully romantic spot for you and your partner.

Take a walk through Middleton Place. If picnics aren’t your thing, but you still love the idea of walking with your partner in a beautiful setting, consider taking a stroll through Middleton Place. Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark and is considered the country’s oldest landscaped gardens, built in the 17th century. The house is filled with gorgeous furniture, portraits, and china that will make any history-lover swoon.

Where can I find horse carriage rides during my Charleston vacation?

Up to 42% of travelers say they feel more romantic when they’re on vacation, which makes the horse carriage rides Charleston SC has to offer a great idea for you and your partner.

Charleston Carriage Works offers evening carriage tours to help make your South Carolina getaway feel as romantic as ever. To learn more about our private carriage tours and horse drawn carriage rides, contact Charleston Carriage Works today.

Charleston SC is an amazing city with an active tourism industry. In fact, one in nine of all U.S. jobs are dependent upon the travel and tourism industry. Three boons for Charleston are almost 90 miles of Atlantic coastline, Americas very first museum ever, and a history that stretches over 300 years into the past.

In 2016 Charleston earned the top rank of Travel and Leisure Magazine’s “World Best Cities”. A great way to view this great place is from a horse drawn carriage.

Who Should Experience Classic Carriage Rides?

There is a specific type of person who should go on a horse drawn carriage tour. The easiest definition of that type of person is someone that wants to have fun! However, that does not truly explain who it would be the right activity for.

Statistically speaking 2.7 percent of all gross domestic product in the United States comes from travel and tourism. Of travelers, roughly 42 percent want to experience romance on a vacation. Around 37 percent of all family travelers say that vacation activities make them the happiest.

In other words, if in Charleston SC an activity that can enhance romance or happiness then consider a horse drawn carriage tour for fun.

Saunter With Classic Carriage Rides

Whether it is the Calhoun Mansion, Philadelphia Alley, or Two Meeting Street Inn a refined approach is classic carriage rides. Charleston carriage rides are an enlightened historical experience as the tour guides are certified by the city.

That means across a 3 mile journey that spans over 300 years memories are made in the historical neighborhoods of the Holy City. Companies offering this service alter their carriage routes regularly allowing for an ever changing experience narrated by a certified professional guide.

The folks that operate these tours understand the importance of offering a quality experience to their customers. It is usually possible to book online in order to reserve a spot on the carriage. Arriving around 15 minutes early is a safe bet as well.

Final Thoughts

Charleston carriage rides are best for those looking to learn some history. Families seeking to create lifelong memories, tourists wanting to feel romantic, and really just good people wanting to have fun are the best candidates.

Remember on the ride though it is a team working to create an experience for the rider: the certified driver and the horses working for their fare’s entertainment. It can be a high quality experience for the right people to ride in a horse carriage.

Traveling to South Carolina and looking for things to do in Charleston? This great city hosts hundreds of thousands visitors with every passing year and, with over 300 years worth of history for people to explore, there is enough to keep tourists busy for days on end.

Unfortunately, most guests will not have the time to visit every sight and attraction the area has to offer, so narrowing down your list from the beginning is always a good idea. We have four great options for you to consider, all of which offer something to enjoy for everyone in your group.

Visit a Museum

Did you know that the Charleston Museum, which was founded close to 250 years ago, was America’s first museum? This, along with the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art, the Corrigan Gallery, LLC, the Gibbes Museum of Art, and more are all great places to visit. You can immerse yourself in great art and history, all while getting a true taste of Charleston culture.

Take a Tour

From walking tours to boat tours to nighttime tours and more, learning about the city from a trained guide is one of the best ways to get the most from your Charleston experience. When it comes to things to do in Charleston, investing in at least one tour is a must. Book yours today to ensure you get the most out of your trip.

Invest in Some Carriage Rides

Speaking of great ways to see the city, why not stroll through town in a horse-drawn carriage? This is a unique and classy way to relax and take in the sights in a manner that is not rushed, crowded, or hard on your feet. Whether you would like to invest in a laid back horse and carriage ride or you want to embark on one of the many carriage tours, there are endless options for you and your vacation pals.

You could even get a private horse tour, ensuring you the peace, quiet, and comfort you deserve on your time away from home and work. Book your spot today. You owe it to yourself.

Make Time for Recreation

Charleston is home to all kinds of boat tours, nature sightings, water-based activities, and more, so there is no shortage of recreational opportunities for those that like to mix in a little adventure with their vacation. Between kayaking, fishing, boating, golfing, and more, there is no shortage of options for you and your loved ones.

Having Trouble Deciding?

Having trouble narrowing down your list? When it comes to exciting things to do in Charleston, the options truly seem endless! Well, just visit what you can and always remember that you can easily come back again sometime in the future to see more. The city is always happy to have you.

In August of 2017, the east coast experienced the wrath of Hurricane Irma. Ranked the fifth-costliest Atlantic hurricane of all time, the damages up and down the coast totaled around $64.8 billion. Charleston, boasting around 90 miles of that coast, is still recovering from Irma’s immense power; one of the most iconic areas of the historic city, the High Battery, has recently begun repairs.

Charleston, South Carolina, is known for a lot of things: over 300 years of history, horse drawn carriage tours, sandy beaches, and a bustling life all its own. The High Battery is one of its more famous locations: named for the civil-war coastal defense artillery battery on site, the area reveals views of the city’s most memorable and beautiful locals such as Fort Sumter, Castle Pinckney, the World War II aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, and Sullivan’s Island.

After Irma let loose on the region, the Battery received the brunt of the damage. As a result, the city has decided to spend nearly $1 million ($935,000 to be exact) to repair its structure. The project is focused on removing around 7,800 tons of granite that had cracked and weakened under Irma’s fury; officially, the repairs will be 1,200 feet long, two feet deep, and 40 feet wide. The Federal Emergency Management Association is expected to reimburse about 70% of the repair costs, lightening some of the burden off of the city.

Fortunately, the efforts are only supposed to span 60 days; the tourism industry in Charleston is one of its biggest forms of income and support, so no real disruptions will occur — people will still easily be able to ride in a horse carriage, visit plantations and museums, and enjoy a night out on the town. Though access to the Battery and Battery Park will be restricted for the coming weeks, there are plenty more historic and beautiful places in Charleston to visit.

The city has had to face a lot due to its ideal coastal location. Though perfect for attracting sunbathers, the risk of damage from hurricanes (which have been appearing consistently within the last few years) is high.

To take your minds off of it, we recommend you take a ride in a horse carriage; after all, spending the afternoon with a knowledgeable guide will have you thinking more about the fascinating past than the unknown future.

Cities that are well-known for their beauty and history usually offer horse and buggy rides or carriages tours. The gentle clopping of horse hooves and the easy pace at which they travel provides a wonderful way to view the scenery and learn a little bit about local culture. Plus, the revenue keeps the city thriving (one out of nine jobs in America depend on travel and tourism).

Unfortunately, the use of animals in any industry, even ones in which they are well-cared for, can cause people to get fired up over their rights. Horse-drawn carriage tours are some of the easiest targets as spectators view the horses as being “overworked” and sent to glue factories once they reach a certain age. We are here to tell you the truth about carriage horses.

Myth: The average working life of a carriage horse is four years, after which time they are all sent to slaughterhouses.

Fact: There is no evidence to support these assertions. In fact, the majority of carriage horses experience long, happy, and healthy careers of 10 to 15 years, or even more! When do reach that age, they are retired, not auction: many return to the carriage owner’s personal property, go to private homes found through networking, or head to retirement facilities (like Blue Star Equiculture).

Myth: Carriage horses are forced to carry heavy loads for long hours, overworked to the point of exhaustion.

Fact: Just because humans would be exhausted pulling carriages all day doesn’t mean horses — the name of which is used to refer to the power in a car engine — would suffer the same result. As a general rule, horses are capable of pulling two to three times their body weight; a horse pulling a 900 lb carriage, even fully loaded with passengers, is the equivalent of the average person pushing a shopping cart with a few gallons of milk in it. Additionally, the typical shift for a carriage horse is no more than nine hours, and usually much less than that. Plus, most carriage horses also get a least two days off per week.

Myth: The lowered head position and body language of a carriage horse indicate that they are tired, sad, and depressed.

Fact: A horse in a horse carriage that is standing with its head at withers level (the highest point of the rump) and one hind-leg cocked is relaxed and well-adjusted. As a result, they often “tune out” their surroundings and nap standing up. On the contrary, a horse whose head is up high with its ears pricked back and eyes bulging is stressed or frightened: they are trying to take in as much information as possible.

Don’t let misinformation about carriage horses prevent you from riding in a horse carriage. And the next time you hear someone complaining about “these poor horses” as you’re getting in your horse carriage, share this information with them.

In the United States, one out of nine jobs depends on travel and tourism. We have private carriage tours and horse and buggy rides around the lovely city of Charleston. Not every city is as fortunate as ours, but they get by just fine.

Colon, Michigan is a relatively small area and the taxi options are limited. In a time when opening an app for Uber or Lyft is commonplace in larger areas, Colon is left without such conveniences. That is until one day, Amish man Timothy Hochstedler thought to solve the problem himself by providing Amish Uber. Completely unaffiliated with Uber, Hochstedler is providing horse and buggy rides for people trying to get from point A to point B.

With a $5 flat rate, you can get around Colon, Michigan via drawn carriage. Of course, as the Amish are forbidden technological devices, his advertising must be stumbled upon in person.

“I don’t think there’s Uber down here, so it’s pretty cool. It gives people that option that can’t drive or don’t want to drive or shouldn’t drive,” said a regular Amish Uber passenger.

Most people who take the horse hailing service around Colon aren’t from the area, utilizing Amish Uber as private carriage tours of little Colon, Michigan. Hochstedler certainly doesn’t seem to mind. He’s happy taking people, local or visiting, to where they’d like to go, all the while giving them a taste of something different.

“It was fascinating. It’s not an activity you typically associate with the Amish,” said a visiting rider who toured with his grandchildren.

We’re left to wonder if it was Hochstedler who even made the first Uber reference to his horse and buggy service or if the locals coined that one. Either way, it’s a unique and interesting solution to a transportation shortage with some cultural experience attached.

We aren’t affiliated with Uber and Charleston has Uber, but if you’re trying to get away from the hustle and bustle of ridesharing apps, our private carriage tours are the perfect means of transportation. Add a little history, scenery, and horses, and moving from place to place will have a little extra magic for you while you visit.

Founded in 1670 by English colonists, Charleston, SC is approaching its 350th birthday. Although the town can’t blow out any candles on a large cake, you can help ring in this major milestone by exploring Charleston’s most historic landmarks. To get the full 18th-century experience, the best way to travel is in a horse-drawn carriage tour. Luckily, private carriage tours are numerous in Charleston. So while you choose where you want to explore, picture you and your family bundled into a Charleston carriage tour.

Middleton Place: Owned and operated by the Middleton Place Foundation, this house and its 110 acres of land are a National Historic Landmark. As a landmark that must acknowledge its history, Middleton Place tells the stories of both the aristocratic white family who owned and operated the homestead, as well as the enslaved Africans, forced to work there. The House Museum at Middleton Place features the everyday objects that surrounded all the people who lived on this land. By touring the museum you are transported to the mid-19th century, just before the Civil War took hold of Charleston and changed their lives forever. The surrounding grounds at Middleton place are a joy to walk through and feature America’s oldest landscaped gardens. Located right on the water, and even among small lakes and rice fields, the breathtaking scenery will show you the beauty of natural Charleston.

Fort Sumter: The first shots of the Civil War were shot by Confederate soldiers at Union soldiers occupying Fort Sumter. This shooting did not end in many casualties as the Union soldiers evacuated the Fort the next day, but it marked the start of the Civil War, America’s deadliest conflict. If you want to visit Fort Sumter now, you’ll have to hop off of any private carriage tours. It is only accessible by boat, but you can take tours that stop there specifically. Traveling by boat will give you another, beautiful view of Charleston that can include dolphin spotting and gorgeous sunsets.

The Charleston Museum: Founded in 1773, the Charleston Museum is considered America’s first museum. The museum features collections of artifacts from historic Charlestonians, such as textiles and silver. It also has an exhibit on life in the South Carolina Lowcountry, which delves in the lives of Native Americans who occupied the land before the colonizers as well as the enslaved African Americans who built the strong South Carolinian economy. The museum also operates two historic houses ready for you to explore: The Joseph Manigault House and the Heyward-Washington House.

Exploring Charleston is a very rewarding adventure, teaching you history you never knew before and showing you parts you never thought to go. Private carriage tours around Charleston wrap you in a lovely, historic bubble that you can carry with you across the city.

https://mycharlestoncarriage.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/logo-v6.png00John Thulinehttps://mycharlestoncarriage.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/logo-v6.pngJohn Thuline2018-08-17 11:44:512018-08-17 11:44:51Time Travel in Charleston: 3 Historic Things To Do And See

If you’re planning a visit to Charleston, South Carolina, you’ve no doubt been drawn in by this city’s fascinating history, incredible architecture, and phenomenal culture. With so many sights to see, it’s easy to become so focused on the attractions themselves that you forget you’ll need to find a way to physically get there. Fortunately, Charleston has numerous ways to get from point A to point B. In fact, many of these modes of transportation are ones you won’t find just anywhere. You can certainly rent a car, reserve a car service, or take a shuttle while you’re here. But you can also enjoy several unique ways to get around our fair city.

Unique Ways to Get Around Charleston, SC

Bike Sharing: Charleston’s official bike share program, Holy Spokes, has 27 locations throughout the city. You can reserve a bike using their mobile app or on the physical bicycle itself, unlock it, and explore on two wheels. When you’re finished, just return the bike to one of their many locations. It’s a seriously simple (and healthy!) way to take in Charleston’s breathtaking views and experience the city like a local. May we suggest one of the city’s many bike trails?

Trolley: If you’re in town for a business conference or are planning to get hitched in Charleston, you can get a taste of traditional charm by booking a private trolley rental! Explore Charleston in perfectly restored vintage splendor by arranging a tour and catching some of the city’s most beautiful views. While you can’t take a trolley downtown and it isn’t a spur-of-the-moment option, it can certainly make your visit or occasion even more special.

Boat: Since Charleston boasts approximately 90 miles of Atlantic coastline, your transportation choices don’t have to be limited to what’s on land. You can embark on a fishing charter or hop on a boat at any time by using the HOBA app, which directly connects you with local captains. It’s sort of like Uber for the water. If you need an innovative way to entertain and impress clients or you simply want to enjoy a relaxing ride with your family, a boat ride may be the way to go.

Water Taxi: Speaking of water-based transportation, you definitely need to check out Charleston’s water taxis while you’re here. Charleston Water Taxi offers ferry service, dolphin-watching, and sightseeing cruises at extremely affordable prices. And because these water taxis depart from several locations, you’ll be able to get out on the open water no matter where you are. You don’t even have to make a reservation.

Horse Drawn Carriage Tours: Of course, you can’t discuss Charleston’s unique transportation options without mentioning horse carriage rides! By reserving daytime or evening carriage tours, you’ll be able to appreciate what makes this city so extraordinary. You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time when you experience our fully-narrated, hour-long tours led by our expert guides. And because our daytime and evening carriage tours have several different routes available, each time you ride will offer different sights and bits of history. This is a truly special way to get to know what makes Charleston so different.

When you visit a new city, making an effort to see this destination from different viewpoints will definitely pay off. There’s no better way to do that than by exploring different transportation methods. To find out more about booking our daytime or evening carriage tours during your visit to Charleston, please get in touch with us today.

Charleston is the perfect vacation destination, as proven by its number one spot in Travel and Leisure Magazine’s “World’s Best Cities” list. It especially excels in full family events, providing entertainment and delight to people of all ages. With a little something for everyone, all it takes is proper planning to create the ideal day in this historic city.

Start Your Day With A Little MagicEveryone who has ever seen Cinderella has fantasized about their own fairy godmother gifting them with a beautiful horse drawn carriage. In Charleston, that dream can easily become a reality, delighting children and adults of all ages. Even if your child has no interest in the horse carriage tour itself, they will be captivated by the elegant power of the horses, keeping them entertained for the entire ride.

With private horse tours offered along educational, historic routes, your parents will be able to learn while they take in the sights. Keeping an entire family involved and enthralled is no small task — especially if you’re trying to please a eight-year-old as well as an 80-year-old — but with Charleston’s private horse tours, you’ll be able to sit back, worry-free, and enjoy the ride with the rest of your family.

Laugh (or Sing!) Your Way To DinnerTickle your family’s funny bone with a trip to the theater after lunch. Take in a live comedy show or a musical thanks to Charleston’s own 34 West Theater Company, nestled in the heart of the city. The perfect way to pass the time until dinner, the happiness your family experiences will last long past that.

Travel Back in Time……And scare your socks off with one of Charleston’s famous ghost tours! See the Old City Jail — which housed pirates, infamous criminals, and Civil War prisoners — or stop by one of the city’s beautiful yet spooky graveyards. These tours are as historic as they are unsettling, and are even available in private horse tours!

Charleston truly is a fantastic vacation spot, providing endless fun and entertainment for the whole family, young and old. Don’t waste another moment; book your trip down today.

https://mycharlestoncarriage.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/privatehorsetour.jpg566849John Thulinehttps://mycharlestoncarriage.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/logo-v6.pngJohn Thuline2018-07-17 06:46:062018-07-17 06:46:06Fun For Young And Old: The Perfect Day In Charleston, SC

Did you know that travel and tourism account for 2.7% of the United States’ gross domestic product (GDP)? People travel for countless reasons. Family vacations, solo adventures, and weddings all count for a huge portion of recreational travel.

People travel for weddings all the time. Even if you have your wedding locally, there is still a lot of travel required on your big day. You have to get to the ceremony location, travel to the picture backdrop, and then make your way to the reception. Some people are fortunate enough to have all three of those activities take place on in the same spot, but those are few and far between.

Brides and grooms typically want to ride around in style on the happiest day of their lives. What’s the best way to do that? It’s not a limo, it’s actually with a horse carriage tour. Horse drawn carriage tours are a great way to parade around on your wedding day. If you want to incorporate a horse carriage and you’re not sure how, fear not. Here are three great ways to include a horse drawn carriage for your wedding.

Element of Surprise
Use the carriage as a way to surprise your future spouse to make a lasting memory of the day you said I do. Seeing the look on their face when they view the beautiful horse and carriage outside of the church for the first time will be priceless.

The Bride Has Arrived
If you want to use a carriage for your wedding but don’t know how, have the bride arrive at the ceremony site in the carriage. The wedding guests will be in awe when they see the bride exit the unique vehicle and walk down the aisle. It may also be sentimental to include the person that is giving the bride away in the carriage alongside her. That way they can walk right into the ceremony as soon as they arrive.

Photo-Op
Not only can you ride in style with a horse drawn carriage, you can take some beautiful pictures as well. You and your bridal party will look stunning posing in front of the majestic horse and romantic carriage in all of your wedding photos.

If you or someone you know is getting married, consider using a horse carriage tour to make your wedding fabulous!

Trending Topics

Due to changes in Instagram's API, feeds can no longer filter out posts based on the user who posted them.Try using a different moderation system for this feed.

Instagram Feed

#CHSCARRIAGEWORKS

Who We Are

Step into the Holy City's rich history and charm with our expert guides on a horse-drawn carriage ride. Founded officially in 2013, Charleston Carriage Works provides locals, tourists and groups with a breathtaking and informative ride through the historic streets of Downtown.Learn more